Cao, Vietnamese refugee who went on serve 25 years as an officer in the navy, used personal story that many voters said they found convincing as it maximized reach in minority communities and hit on some of the same topics – for example, the fight against “indoctrination” in education – which led to the victory of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (right) last year. About 44 percent of voting age people in minorities live in the area, including 17 percent who are Asian Americans.
“We came to this country with nothing,” said Cao. in interview on Sunday. “We scratched our way up And we made This is work and we used all the opportunities that this country gave usand we didn’t take any handouts. It resonates with all people in this area, especially all immigrants and minorities. And all hardworking Americans, not just minorities.”
AT party-run fire department primary that used ranking voting, Cao resigned with about 53 percent of in vote to Lawson about 34 percent. About 15,000 Republicans voted.
Cao Victory Sets up an intriguing match between a political newcomer with clear mass appeal in conservative circles and Wexton, a former Loudon County Attorney and State Senator who flipped district blue in 2018 double-significant margin. Cao’s appointment coincides with Virginia Republican Party’s Rise more various shales of candidates for expansion party marquee – such as Attorney General Jason S. Miyares and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears – and it could end up as asset for Republicans in what will be the difficult attempt to oust Wexton in blue area.
While President Biden won 10th like him drawn now at 18 percent points in In 2020, the Republicans hoped that it would be possible to turn the seat red after Youngkin. made significant progress in district in his gubernatorial race, having lost the redistributed 10th place by less than two points. His success encouraged national The Republicans set their sights on Wexton one of three Virginia congresswomen they hope to pick up down in by-elections year referendum expected on democratic power. Millions of dollars likely to be poured into advertising and voter outreach in coming months outside groups and two campaigns.
But what about Cao win illustrated, money not always everything – even in a region such as Northern Virginia, one of majority expensive media markets in a nation where candidates have to juggle for attention to get their message across to voters. And as he prepares to receive on Wexton, Cao claimed that his win turned out to be political experience not all of them either: “Look at yesterday’s primaries: they didn’t want political veteran; They wanted fresh voice”, he said on Sunday.
Lawson lifted more over $920,000 – more how twice what Cao raised — and received loud support from Rep. Eliza Stefanik (NY), a third-rank Republican in House of Representatives and several other prominent right-wing activists.
Lawson positioned herself as the best fighter against “woke up” the policy of racial equality. But Lawson also faced some attacks from the right flank over a vote she is took in 2020 – unanimous bipartisan vote – “develop framework for becomes more inclusive and equitable Prince William County.”
David Ramadan, former Republican state legislator who submitted parts of Loudon and Prince William counties remember attacks over in vote multiply in right circles online. It was “surprising” given that Lawson had reputation as a staunch conservative he said.
Janine Lawson started out as favorite candidate, and she had largely endorsements of who is who of traditional conservative leaders and activists, from Morton Blackwell to Ken Cucinelli,” said Ramadan, a professor at George Mason University’s Ball School. of Politics and government. “She is also was record as public official – and what record wasn’t right enough for Wing MAG of in party”.
Ramadan, noting a significant population of Americans and South Asian immigrants speculated that Cao probably succeeded with resonant immigrant story and working with a minority community – but also in partly because he didn’t have record that the Republican base can criticize. And he’s capitalized on issues that galvanized these voters, such as electoral integrity and the fight against against educational policy that includes racial equality, Ramadan said.
Cao was born in Vietnam and fled the country with his family shortly before the fall of Saigon in 1975. In an interview last week, he remembered his mother sewing money in the regions of clothes of him and his brothers and sisters, in case they were separated. And as he watched the fall of Kabul in Augusta, after seeing Afghan mothers handing over their children to the US Marines, Cao said that deadly leaving reminded him of his family experience. Shortly thereafter, he decided run for Congress.
BUT father of five whose children are home-educated, Cao downtrodden on education throughout its campaign. He advocated for for choice of school and sought to appeal to conservative parents who became active at school board meetings againstcritical race theory” and the policy of racial equality and diversity.
cao, who Graduated from the elite Thomas Jefferson District High School. for Science and technology, were vocal in his opposition to the Fairfax County School District changes to the admissions process. The district has canceled the notoriously difficult entrance exam and made Other changes in attempt to raise student diversity. But Cao and parents with Coalition for TD – who filed a lawsuit and brought the case to the Supreme Court. changes lowered standards and discrimination against Asian Americans.
Cao positions on Republicans were worried about education parents out in the elections on Saturday.
Candace van Schaik, 44, said that home- some schools of her eight children, who range from toddlers to 19year-old college student — just like Cao, general experience what made her appreciate it first.
“He seems to share lot of the same values that I have,” said van Schaik, who also graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. “Be a father businessman, served in in military and then go on with life with his family it seems consistent with the values we instill in our children with”.
Tim Vermilion, 49-year- old engineer who ranked candidate Dave Beckwith, Lawson and Cao in his top three, said on Saturday that he needed to think about who could pull the most votes in November.
Vermilion said he felt “Trump fatigue”. Candidate with Origin Cao might like more independent voters, he added and ‘comes to immigration issues with different perspective.”
Cao said that he want discuss any changes to the immigration office system or path to citizenship until the border is secured. He also appealed to religious conservatives on issues like abortion, saying he supports Rowe vs. Wade and counts abortions policy is an best left to the states.
J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of the Sabato Crystal Ball at the university. of Virginia said in recent interview about how abortion can be wildcard factor in blue area like 10th and what could it be one issue motivation for the arrival of the Democrats out to the elections.
“Republicans cannot be seen as too conservative on social problems,” Coleman said. “AND Caviar would one of those things that would not fundamentally change the situation, but, perhaps, help with Democrat Margin.
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY), Chairman of The Democratic Party Committee of the US Congress stated that in Sunday’s announcement that Virginia voters would “reject Hong Cao’s venomous opinion.” politicsand called Northern Virginia “Wexton Country”.
In his statement, Wexton focused on on her work in Congress Backs Coronavirus Aid and Infrastructure Bill supporting victims of domestic violence and holding a “Chinese government responsible for their human rights atrocities.” Wexton sits on in powerful House Appropriations Committee and Congressional Executive Committee on China, which monitors human rights violations in China of Uighurs and other religious minorities; district home to the big population of Uighur refugees.
“I look forward continue to travel new 10th meeting district with voters, listen to the needs of family and talk to how It’s critical to protect this place,” Wexton said.
Theo Armus contributed to this report.
